Return to PDP, Atiku begs defectors

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked former leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to return and facilitate the efforts to rebuild the party and ensure that it recaptures the presidency in 2019.

Atiku who paid a courtesy visit to the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee at the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the party declared that PDP was the only party in the country.

Paying tribute to the past leadership of the party, Atiku requested that “wherever they may be, I call upon them to please return home as I have done.”

He pointed out that “It is only by returning home that we will build a stronger, more united party that can again return to government and continue to deliver the dividends of democracy.’’

Congratulating the party’s national leadership for its efforts in redeeming the party’s image, Atiku noted that serious workt was being done to redeem and rebrand it, thus returning it to its original form.

He pledged his support in the rebuilding efforts even as he advised party leaders to ensure they restore internal democracy to the party.

The former Vice President asked all party stakeholders to ensure that lessons learnt from the party’s loss at the 2015 election were not lost, adding that members should be guided by the lessons learnt.

Makarfi, declared that Atiku’s return has opened the flood gates adding that the party expects many more high profile returnees and new entrants into the PDP.

He, however advised that PDP must be ready to reconcile in such a way and manner that everybody will be treated and given a level playing field to pursue his or her personal aspiration.

Makarfi lamented the attacks suffered by the party by those who were bent on destroying it.